My 12-year-old and I went to watch Syracuse University close out the season Monday against Georgetown. It was a wonderful game on a number of levels. Especially rewarding was the performance by Demetrius Nichols, who displayed such a reaffirming work ethic, and humility, throughout the season.

The game was physical, and it seemed as if the officials lost control for a while near the end of the first half. Still, it is hard to reconcile a few shaky calls with the beyond-the-bend behavior of the crowd. Grown men were screaming and cursing at the officials. One guy, directly behind us, stood and screamed, "Ref! Your're terrible! Just terrible!" so many times that his voice went hoarse. My son, and other kids his age or younger, sat around and soaked it all in.

Human beings are human beings, and none of us are perfect. But I couldn't help thinking about Pat Driscoll's proposed youth sports pledge as I sat and listened to the crowd. Many readers wrote to say they love that idea, but one of the simplest realities on the planet was evident in the dome: